Monthly Archives: January 2008

The Rome Pantheon is one of the greatest buildings of the World. It was buid as a temple around 125 AD. Later it has been used as a Catholic Church and it is still active as such. The Pantheon is situated at Piazza della Rotonda in the historical centre of Rome. Passing through the colonade people enter through a big bronze doors and after they see the huge circular room.The interior is with a cylinder shape and above the top is a perfect hemispherical dome.

The only natural light that enters is through the center of the dome and through the doors. It is beautiful to observe as the sun moves different and intersting patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors , made of granite and yellow marble. The Pantheon is also known as Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Martyres. Here are some facts about this amazig and precious historical and architectural achievment from ancient times: It is tall 43 meters and wide 43 meters which makes its dome a perfect hemisphere.It is standing on a solid rig wall which is thick 7,5 meters. It has been the largest dome in the world until Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence (1420-30) The main alter of the church is opposite the entrance. The original 7-th century icon of The Madonna and Child can be seen bove the alter. There are monumental tobs build into the walls of the pantheon. One of them is of the artist Raphael-on the left side as you enter. In the piazza outside the pantheon is a beautiful fountain with an ancient Egyptian obelisk on the top of it which is erected by Pope Clement XI.

Useful Tourist Information: The Pantheon is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. On Sunday:from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. On holidays that fall on week days except Christmas Day,New Year’s Day and may 1 -closed. There is NO admission to enter into the Pantheon.

Though the Capitoline is the only distinct hill today, all seven hills were once discernable. The Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, and Caelian hills are really promintaries of an ancient volcanic ridge. The Palatine Hill, Aventine, and Capitoline hills were hills seperate from the others (not part of the same ancient ridge). There were once marshy ravines between all of the hills, and between the hills and the Tiber River, but these were drained in antiquity and the ravines are now filled in with the remains of civilisation.

Archaeological evidence supports the notion that there were walled cities on each of the seven original hills. It also suggests that there was a wall that surrounded the Palatine, Esquiline, Velian, and Caelian hills but left out the Capitoline , Quirinal, and Viminal hills.

Historians and Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient enmity between peoples living on the Quirinal and Esquiline hills against those on the Velian and Palatine hills. This could help explain the reasons for choosing Remus and Romulus as leaders of the warring peoples living on the Aventine and Palatine hills respectively.

Though the Capitoline is the only distinct hill today, all seven hills were once discernable. The Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, and Caelian hills are really promintaries of an ancient volcanic ridge. The Palatine, Aventine, and Capitoline hills were hills seperate from the others (not part of the same ancient ridge). There were once marshy ravines between all of the hills, and between the hills and the Tiber River, but these were drained in antiquity and the ravines are now filled in with the remains of civilisation.

Archaeological evidence supports the notion that there were walled cities on each of the seven original hills. It also suggests that there was a wall that surrounded the Palatine, Esquiline, Velian, and Caelian hills but left out the Capitoline, Quirinal, and Viminal hills.

Historians and Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient enmity between peoples living on the Quirinal and Esquiline hills against those on the Velian and Palatine hills. This could help explain the reasons for choosing Remus and Romulus as leaders of the warring peoples living on the Aventine and Palatine hills respectively.

Aventine: Mons/Collis Aventinus

This hill is where Remus chose to live. In historical times it was the home of the plebeans, who built a temple to Ceres in the 5th century BCE. It also had temples for Liber and Libera.

Caelian: Mons/Collis Caelius

Many of Rome’s elite lived on this hill during the Roman Republic.

Capitoline: Mons/Collis Capitolinus

This hill was the site of many of Rome’s earliest fortresses. It was also the hill of the government. The temples of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Moneta, and Concord are located on this hill.

Esquiline: Mons/Collis Esquilinus

This hill had a walled city on it since at least the 700s BCE.

Palatine: Mons/Collis Palatinus

This hill is the hill of Romulus. In Classical times it was the hill where Rome’s rich and powerful chose to live. Walled villages and tombs have been found here, and the people who lived in those villages seem to be dominant to their contemporaries since the 700s BCE. The temple of Magna Mater is located on the Palentine.

Quirinal: Mons/Collis Quirinalis

It is on this hill that the Sabines once lived and built their city. Archaeological evidence supports habitation of this hill since at least the 8th century BCE through tomb and walled village excavations.

Viminalis: Mons/Collis Viminalis

This is the smallest of the Seven Great Hills, and was one of the last to be included inside the walls of Rome.

All 7 hills make a pleasant walk , ideal for those who just want to chill out some, and no doubt you will be happy to come back to your cosy and new Yes hotel Rome, conveniently located and tucked away from the noise